Detroit Vs. Minnesota 5-30-11
Nick Blackburn has been one of the few bright spots in an otherwise disastrous season for the Minnesota Twins.
Blackburn looks to win his fourth consecutive decision and help the Twins avoid losing their seventh straight to the Detroit Tigers in Monday's series opener at Comerica Park.
Off to its worst start since 1995, Minnesota (17-34) is already 14 1/2 games out of first place in the AL Central - a division it has won each of the last two seasons and in six of the last nine years.
The Twins, who have historically prided themselves on defense and fundamentals, had a sloppy defensive showing in Sunday's 6-5 loss to Los Angeles, their 16th defeat in 21 games.
"We've got to keep playing hard," outfielder Michael Cuddyer told the team's official website.
While the season appears to be slipping away for Minnesota, Blackburn (4-4, 3.20 ERA) has strung together several solid outings.
Blackburn is 3-0 with a 1.72 ERA in five starts this month after compiling a 6.04 ERA while losing his final four April outings. The right-hander posted his first complete game of the season in Tuesday's 4-2 victory over Seattle, allowing two runs and seven hits.
"We've been working the last couple weeks to get my mechanics where they are and lately they've been working pretty well," said Blackburn, who has yielded one run in each of his last three road starts.
This will be the first start of the season against Detroit for Blackburn. He posted a 3.94 ERA in his two wins over the Tigers in 2010 - both at home - but was knocked around for seven runs in four innings of a 7-4 loss at Comerica on July 10.
The Twins were embarrassed by the Tigers in their first series of the season, surrendering 19 runs while getting swept in a two-game home series May 10 and 11. Detroit has won five of the last six meetings between these division rivals, outscoring Minnesota 55-30 in that stretch.
The Tigers (26-26) split a day-night doubleheader with Boston on Sunday, dropping the opener 4-3 before winning the nightcap 3-0 behind a gem from Justin Verlander to avoid a four-game weekend sweep.
"Detroit played a doubleheader so hopefully they'll be worn out," Minnesota manager Ron Gardenhire said. "That'd be good."
Gardenhire likely hopes Miguel Cabrera is especially tired.
Cabrera is batting .347 with six home runs, 21 RBIs and 17 runs in 20 games against the Twins since the start of last season. The five-time All-Star is also hitting .341 with two homers, five doubles and eight RBIs during a season-best 11-game hitting streak, and is 11 for 24 lifetime against Blackburn.
The Tigers counter with Brad Penny (4-4, 4.45), who tossed three scoreless innings against Tampa Bay on Wednesday before a two-plus hour rain delay postponed the game.
In his previous start against Pittsburgh on May 20, Penny permitted five runs, six hits and a season-high five walks in 5 2-3 innings of a 10-1 loss. The right-hander had posted a 0.83 ERA while winning his first three May starts.
This will be Penny's first appearance against the Twins since 2009, when he pitched for Boston. He is 2-0 with a 5.19 ERA in three career starts versus Minnesota.
Twins first baseman Justin Morneau, who had three hits and two RBIs on Sunday, is 4 for 8 with a homer, triple and two doubles lifetime against Penny.
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